Hello,

Up front, I'm an orchid admirer but not a grower. I've tried a couple
of times, but up here in the north end of California's share of the Mojave
Desert, it ain't an easy task. Mostly I end up driving over to the left
coast every year or so and buying a few plants from the commercial growers.
What I am searching for are knowledgeable folks about greenhouses. I
searched through the newsgroups available on my GTE/Verizon ISP server and
can't find any reference. I figure that more than one or two of you folks
must have greenhouses attached to the house or over in the back yard.
My back yard is 2 1/2 acres of excellent drainage. I'm doodling around
with various sketches for a covered sun-pit. My rationale for digging the
greenhouse in has to do with the climate extremes AND the ferocious winds we
occasionally experience. Our record low temperature was +5F in December,
1993; high was 121F but I don't recall the year; every spring we have spells
of winds in excess of 40MPH with gusts over 50, sometimes lasting for days.
I figure having the bottom five or six feet of the greehouse below
grade level shields me from the wind to some degree and the natural
insulation of the ground helps keep the inside atmosphere stable. I've lots
of other details about evaporative cooling, humidity control, passive solar
heating (and cooling), yadda, yadda. The greenhouse will be multi-purpose;
including flowers, edibles, and bonsai.
I've found great resources for materials and ideas over the span of the
internet, inlcuding materials and reading material. But sometimes it helps
to dialog with live people.
I promise not to be offended if you tell me to go away.

Regards,

Casey Wilson
Freelance Writer and Photographer

These all sound like good ideas, especially burying it part way in the
ground.
Greenhouse discussion is not off topic.

Al
"Casey Wilson" wrote in message
news:tkzjd.2521$bH2.1505@trnddc09...
Hello,

Up front, I'm an orchid admirer but not a grower. I've tried a couple
of times, but up here in the north end of California's share of the Mojave
Desert, it ain't an easy task. Mostly I end up driving over to the left
coast every year or so and buying a few plants from the commercial
growers.
What I am searching for are knowledgeable folks about greenhouses. I
searched through the newsgroups available on my GTE/Verizon ISP server and
can't find any reference. I figure that more than one or two of you folks
must have greenhouses attached to the house or over in the back yard.
My back yard is 2 1/2 acres of excellent drainage. I'm doodling around
with various sketches for a covered sun-pit. My rationale for digging the
greenhouse in has to do with the climate extremes AND the ferocious winds
we occasionally experience. Our record low temperature was +5F in
December, 1993; high was 121F but I don't recall the year; every spring we
have spells of winds in excess of 40MPH with gusts over 50, sometimes
lasting for days.
I figure having the bottom five or six feet of the greehouse below
grade level shields me from the wind to some degree and the natural
insulation of the ground helps keep the inside atmosphere stable. I've
lots of other details about evaporative cooling, humidity control, passive
solar heating (and cooling), yadda, yadda. The greenhouse will be
multi-purpose; including flowers, edibles, and bonsai.
I've found great resources for materials and ideas over the span of the
internet, inlcuding materials and reading material. But sometimes it helps
to dialog with live people.
I promise not to be offended if you tell me to go away.

Regards,

Casey Wilson
Freelance Writer and Photographer

These all sound like good ideas, especially burying it part way in the
ground.
Greenhouse discussion is not off topic.

Al
"Casey Wilson" wrote in message
news:tkzjd.2521$bH2.1505@trnddc09...
Hello,

Up front, I'm an orchid admirer but not a grower. I've tried a couple
of times, but up here in the north end of California's share of the Mojave
Desert, it ain't an easy task. Mostly I end up driving over to the left
coast every year or so and buying a few plants from the commercial
growers.
What I am searching for are knowledgeable folks about greenhouses. I
searched through the newsgroups available on my GTE/Verizon ISP server and
can't find any reference. I figure that more than one or two of you folks
must have greenhouses attached to the house or over in the back yard.
My back yard is 2 1/2 acres of excellent drainage. I'm doodling around
with various sketches for a covered sun-pit. My rationale for digging the
greenhouse in has to do with the climate extremes AND the ferocious winds
we occasionally experience. Our record low temperature was +5F in
December, 1993; high was 121F but I don't recall the year; every spring we
have spells of winds in excess of 40MPH with gusts over 50, sometimes
lasting for days.
I figure having the bottom five or six feet of the greehouse below
grade level shields me from the wind to some degree and the natural
insulation of the ground helps keep the inside atmosphere stable. I've
lots of other details about evaporative cooling, humidity control, passive
solar heating (and cooling), yadda, yadda. The greenhouse will be
multi-purpose; including flowers, edibles, and bonsai.
I've found great resources for materials and ideas over the span of the
internet, inlcuding materials and reading material. But sometimes it helps
to dialog with live people.
I promise not to be offended if you tell me to go away.

Regards,

Casey Wilson
Freelance Writer and Photographer

Casey -

I have the design for my new greenhouse...The walls will be 6 feet of
styrofoam and concrete (there is a version of the styrofoam that is
treated for mold, etc) that is below grade. I am adding a water storage
tank that will run the length of the greenhouse - below the benches and
be light tight. I will pump the water thru solar thermal piping during
the day in the winter to add heat to the greenhouse. In the summer, the
16 foot inflated double poly hoop house will be open all the way to the
top. In the winter, I will add a third layer of plastic 3 feet about
ground that will keep the warm air in the lower part of the green house.
I will be able to vent the air in the winter thru that layer to control
moisture and temperature. In the summer the 22 feet to the top, will
allow the hottest air to rise and be vented. The water tank should be
able to stabilize the overall temp.

If you want to talk more, let me know. I have been working with a couple
of long time greenhouse people to modify the design that my mentor, used
successfully for over 50 years.

This is the result.

Doug

In article tkzjd.2521$bH2.1505@trnddc09,
"Casey Wilson" wrote:

Hello,

Up front, I'm an orchid admirer but not a grower. I've tried a couple
of times, but up here in the north end of California's share of the Mojave
Desert, it ain't an easy task. Mostly I end up driving over to the left
coast every year or so and buying a few plants from the commercial growers.
What I am searching for are knowledgeable folks about greenhouses. I
searched through the newsgroups available on my GTE/Verizon ISP server and
can't find any reference. I figure that more than one or two of you folks
must have greenhouses attached to the house or over in the back yard.
My back yard is 2 1/2 acres of excellent drainage. I'm doodling around
with various sketches for a covered sun-pit. My rationale for digging the
greenhouse in has to do with the climate extremes AND the ferocious winds we
occasionally experience. Our record low temperature was +5F in December,
1993; high was 121F but I don't recall the year; every spring we have spells
of winds in excess of 40MPH with gusts over 50, sometimes lasting for days.
I figure having the bottom five or six feet of the greehouse below
grade level shields me from the wind to some degree and the natural
insulation of the ground helps keep the inside atmosphere stable. I've lots
of other details about evaporative cooling, humidity control, passive solar
heating (and cooling), yadda, yadda. The greenhouse will be multi-purpose;
including flowers, edibles, and bonsai.
I've found great resources for materials and ideas over the span of the
internet, inlcuding materials and reading material. But sometimes it helps
to dialog with live people.
I promise not to be offended if you tell me to go away.

Regards,

Casey Wilson
Freelance Writer and Photographer

Casey -

I have the design for my new greenhouse...The walls will be 6 feet of
styrofoam and concrete (there is a version of the styrofoam that is
treated for mold, etc) that is below grade. I am adding a water storage
tank that will run the length of the greenhouse - below the benches and
be light tight. I will pump the water thru solar thermal piping during
the day in the winter to add heat to the greenhouse. In the summer, the
16 foot inflated double poly hoop house will be open all the way to the
top. In the winter, I will add a third layer of plastic 3 feet about
ground that will keep the warm air in the lower part of the green house.
I will be able to vent the air in the winter thru that layer to control
moisture and temperature. In the summer the 22 feet to the top, will
allow the hottest air to rise and be vented. The water tank should be
able to stabilize the overall temp.

If you want to talk more, let me know. I have been working with a couple
of long time greenhouse people to modify the design that my mentor, used
successfully for over 50 years.

This is the result.

Doug

In article tkzjd.2521$bH2.1505@trnddc09,
"Casey Wilson" wrote:

Hello,

Up front, I'm an orchid admirer but not a grower. I've tried a couple
of times, but up here in the north end of California's share of the Mojave
Desert, it ain't an easy task. Mostly I end up driving over to the left
coast every year or so and buying a few plants from the commercial growers.
What I am searching for are knowledgeable folks about greenhouses. I
searched through the newsgroups available on my GTE/Verizon ISP server and
can't find any reference. I figure that more than one or two of you folks
must have greenhouses attached to the house or over in the back yard.
My back yard is 2 1/2 acres of excellent drainage. I'm doodling around
with various sketches for a covered sun-pit. My rationale for digging the
greenhouse in has to do with the climate extremes AND the ferocious winds we
occasionally experience. Our record low temperature was +5F in December,
1993; high was 121F but I don't recall the year; every spring we have spells
of winds in excess of 40MPH with gusts over 50, sometimes lasting for days.
I figure having the bottom five or six feet of the greehouse below
grade level shields me from the wind to some degree and the natural
insulation of the ground helps keep the inside atmosphere stable. I've lots
of other details about evaporative cooling, humidity control, passive solar
heating (and cooling), yadda, yadda. The greenhouse will be multi-purpose;
including flowers, edibles, and bonsai.
I've found great resources for materials and ideas over the span of the
internet, inlcuding materials and reading material. But sometimes it helps
to dialog with live people.
I promise not to be offended if you tell me to go away.

Regards,

Casey Wilson
Freelance Writer and Photographer

On Sun, 07 Nov 2004 21:26:51 -0500, doug houseman
wrote:

Casey -

I have the design for my new greenhouse...The walls will be 6 feet of
styrofoam and concrete (there is a version of the styrofoam that is
treated for mold, etc) that is below grade. I am adding a water storage
tank that will run the length of the greenhouse - below the benches and
be light tight. I will pump the water thru solar thermal piping during
the day in the winter to add heat to the greenhouse. In the summer, the
16 foot inflated double poly hoop house will be open all the way to the
top. In the winter, I will add a third layer of plastic 3 feet about
ground that will keep the warm air in the lower part of the green house.
I will be able to vent the air in the winter thru that layer to control
moisture and temperature. In the summer the 22 feet to the top, will
allow the hottest air to rise and be vented. The water tank should be
able to stabilize the overall temp.

If you want to talk more, let me know. I have been working with a couple
of long time greenhouse people to modify the design that my mentor, used
successfully for over 50 years.

This is the result.

Doug

Our gh is a lean-to on west side of the house. It runs north and
south. But this is only because there was not enough clearance to
put it anywhere else. The benches are just about ground level
outside. Which gives me a lot of head room over the plants.

The foundation goes as deep as the house foundation. That space
was filled with cobbles and provides a lovely heat sink in the
winter and a cooling bed in the summer. We have never over
watered to get water up out of the rock. We did have a
thermostat failure that burst the water pipes. But that was mid
winter with poor alarms. Not true now.

We have a power vent in one upper panel so we can exhaust the hot
air. We have not used it in years. We allow the roof vent to
open, let the misters run and it is cool enough in the gh. Some
times in the winter it will get to 80 on a clear sunny day and
open the vent. We heat minimally in the winter and grow a wide
variety of things.

SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

On Sun, 07 Nov 2004 21:26:51 -0500, doug houseman
wrote:

Casey -

I have the design for my new greenhouse...The walls will be 6 feet of
styrofoam and concrete (there is a version of the styrofoam that is
treated for mold, etc) that is below grade. I am adding a water storage
tank that will run the length of the greenhouse - below the benches and
be light tight. I will pump the water thru solar thermal piping during
the day in the winter to add heat to the greenhouse. In the summer, the
16 foot inflated double poly hoop house will be open all the way to the
top. In the winter, I will add a third layer of plastic 3 feet about
ground that will keep the warm air in the lower part of the green house.
I will be able to vent the air in the winter thru that layer to control
moisture and temperature. In the summer the 22 feet to the top, will
allow the hottest air to rise and be vented. The water tank should be
able to stabilize the overall temp.

If you want to talk more, let me know. I have been working with a couple
of long time greenhouse people to modify the design that my mentor, used
successfully for over 50 years.

This is the result.

Doug

Our gh is a lean-to on west side of the house. It runs north and
south. But this is only because there was not enough clearance to
put it anywhere else. The benches are just about ground level
outside. Which gives me a lot of head room over the plants.

The foundation goes as deep as the house foundation. That space
was filled with cobbles and provides a lovely heat sink in the
winter and a cooling bed in the summer. We have never over
watered to get water up out of the rock. We did have a
thermostat failure that burst the water pipes. But that was mid
winter with poor alarms. Not true now.

We have a power vent in one upper panel so we can exhaust the hot
air. We have not used it in years. We allow the roof vent to
open, let the misters run and it is cool enough in the gh. Some
times in the winter it will get to 80 on a clear sunny day and
open the vent. We heat minimally in the winter and grow a wide
variety of things.

SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

On Sun, 07 Nov 2004 21:26:51 -0500, doug houseman
wrote:

Casey -

I have the design for my new greenhouse...The walls will be 6 feet of
styrofoam and concrete (there is a version of the styrofoam that is
treated for mold, etc) that is below grade. I am adding a water storage
tank that will run the length of the greenhouse - below the benches and
be light tight. I will pump the water thru solar thermal piping during
the day in the winter to add heat to the greenhouse. In the summer, the
16 foot inflated double poly hoop house will be open all the way to the
top. In the winter, I will add a third layer of plastic 3 feet about
ground that will keep the warm air in the lower part of the green house.
I will be able to vent the air in the winter thru that layer to control
moisture and temperature. In the summer the 22 feet to the top, will
allow the hottest air to rise and be vented. The water tank should be
able to stabilize the overall temp.

If you want to talk more, let me know. I have been working with a couple
of long time greenhouse people to modify the design that my mentor, used
successfully for over 50 years.

This is the result.

Doug

Our gh is a lean-to on west side of the house. It runs north and
south. But this is only because there was not enough clearance to
put it anywhere else. The benches are just about ground level
outside. Which gives me a lot of head room over the plants.

The foundation goes as deep as the house foundation. That space
was filled with cobbles and provides a lovely heat sink in the
winter and a cooling bed in the summer. We have never over
watered to get water up out of the rock. We did have a
thermostat failure that burst the water pipes. But that was mid
winter with poor alarms. Not true now.

We have a power vent in one upper panel so we can exhaust the hot
air. We have not used it in years. We allow the roof vent to
open, let the misters run and it is cool enough in the gh. Some
times in the winter it will get to 80 on a clear sunny day and
open the vent. We heat minimally in the winter and grow a wide
variety of things.

SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

Welcome Casey, I see you already have been given some great info
so just want to mention that if you do a Google search in rgo
under 'Groups' you will find previous discussions with lots of tips
and hints etc.
--
Cheers Wendy

Remove PETERPAN for email reply

Casey Wilson wrote:
Hello,

Up front, I'm an orchid admirer but not a grower. I've tried a
couple of times, but up here in the north end of California's share
of the Mojave Desert, it ain't an easy task. Mostly I end up driving
over to the left coast every year or so and buying a few plants from
the commercial growers. What I am searching for are knowledgeable
folks about greenhouses. I searched through the newsgroups available
on my GTE/Verizon ISP server and can't find any reference. I figure
that more than one or two of you folks must have greenhouses attached
to the house or over in the back yard. My back yard is 2 1/2
acres of excellent drainage. I'm doodling around with various sketches for
a covered sun-pit. My rationale for digging
the greenhouse in has to do with the climate extremes AND the
ferocious winds we occasionally experience. Our record low
temperature was +5F in December, 1993; high was 121F but I don't
recall the year; every spring we have spells of winds in excess of
40MPH with gusts over 50, sometimes lasting for days. I figure
having the bottom five or six feet of the greehouse below grade level
shields me from the wind to some degree and the natural
insulation of the ground helps keep the inside atmosphere stable.
I've lots of other details about evaporative cooling, humidity
control, passive solar heating (and cooling), yadda, yadda. The
greenhouse will be multi-purpose; including flowers, edibles, and
bonsai. I've found great resources for materials and ideas over
the span of the internet, inlcuding materials and reading material.
But sometimes it helps to dialog with live people.
I promise not to be offended if you tell me to go away.

Regards,

Casey Wilson
Freelance Writer and Photographer

Welcome Casey, I see you already have been given some great info
so just want to mention that if you do a Google search in rgo
under 'Groups' you will find previous discussions with lots of tips
and hints etc.
--
Cheers Wendy

Remove PETERPAN for email reply

Casey Wilson wrote:
Hello,

Up front, I'm an orchid admirer but not a grower. I've tried a
couple of times, but up here in the north end of California's share
of the Mojave Desert, it ain't an easy task. Mostly I end up driving
over to the left coast every year or so and buying a few plants from
the commercial growers. What I am searching for are knowledgeable
folks about greenhouses. I searched through the newsgroups available
on my GTE/Verizon ISP server and can't find any reference. I figure
that more than one or two of you folks must have greenhouses attached
to the house or over in the back yard. My back yard is 2 1/2
acres of excellent drainage. I'm doodling around with various sketches for
a covered sun-pit. My rationale for digging
the greenhouse in has to do with the climate extremes AND the
ferocious winds we occasionally experience. Our record low
temperature was +5F in December, 1993; high was 121F but I don't
recall the year; every spring we have spells of winds in excess of
40MPH with gusts over 50, sometimes lasting for days. I figure
having the bottom five or six feet of the greehouse below grade level
shields me from the wind to some degree and the natural
insulation of the ground helps keep the inside atmosphere stable.
I've lots of other details about evaporative cooling, humidity
control, passive solar heating (and cooling), yadda, yadda. The
greenhouse will be multi-purpose; including flowers, edibles, and
bonsai. I've found great resources for materials and ideas over
the span of the internet, inlcuding materials and reading material.
But sometimes it helps to dialog with live people.
I promise not to be offended if you tell me to go away.

Regards,

Casey Wilson
Freelance Writer and Photographer

On Sun, 7 Nov 2004 16:45:13 -0800, Casey Wilson wrote
(in article tkzjd.2521$bH2.1505@trnddc09):

Hello,

Up front, I'm an orchid admirer but not a grower. I've tried a couple
of times, but up here in the north end of California's share of the Mojave
Desert, it ain't an easy task. Mostly I end up driving over to the left
coast every year or so and buying a few plants from the commercial growers.
What I am searching for are knowledgeable folks about greenhouses. I
searched through the newsgroups available on my GTE/Verizon ISP server and
can't find any reference. I figure that more than one or two of you folks
must have greenhouses attached to the house or over in the back yard.
My back yard is 2 1/2 acres of excellent drainage. I'm doodling around
with various sketches for a covered sun-pit. My rationale for digging the
greenhouse in has to do with the climate extremes AND the ferocious winds we
occasionally experience. Our record low temperature was +5F in December,
1993; high was 121F but I don't recall the year; every spring we have spells
of winds in excess of 40MPH with gusts over 50, sometimes lasting for days.
I figure having the bottom five or six feet of the greehouse below
grade level shields me from the wind to some degree and the natural
insulation of the ground helps keep the inside atmosphere stable. I've lots
of other details about evaporative cooling, humidity control, passive solar
heating (and cooling), yadda, yadda. The greenhouse will be multi-purpose;
including flowers, edibles, and bonsai.
I've found great resources for materials and ideas over the span of the
internet, inlcuding materials and reading material. But sometimes it helps
to dialog with live people.
I promise not to be offended if you tell me to go away.

Regards,

Casey Wilson
Freelance Writer and Photographer



Not off topic at all. Check out charleysgreenhouse.com. I don't have your
extreme temperatures or wind, but I'm very pleased with the custom kit I
bought from Charley's three years ago, and enjoyed doing business with them.
They seem quite open to phone calls and eager to search out solutions for
people.

Tom
Walnut Creek, CA
Nikon CP 5700

On Sun, 7 Nov 2004 16:45:13 -0800, Casey Wilson wrote
(in article tkzjd.2521$bH2.1505@trnddc09):

Hello,

Up front, I'm an orchid admirer but not a grower. I've tried a couple
of times, but up here in the north end of California's share of the Mojave
Desert, it ain't an easy task. Mostly I end up driving over to the left
coast every year or so and buying a few plants from the commercial growers.
What I am searching for are knowledgeable folks about greenhouses. I
searched through the newsgroups available on my GTE/Verizon ISP server and
can't find any reference. I figure that more than one or two of you folks
must have greenhouses attached to the house or over in the back yard.
My back yard is 2 1/2 acres of excellent drainage. I'm doodling around
with various sketches for a covered sun-pit. My rationale for digging the
greenhouse in has to do with the climate extremes AND the ferocious winds we
occasionally experience. Our record low temperature was +5F in December,
1993; high was 121F but I don't recall the year; every spring we have spells
of winds in excess of 40MPH with gusts over 50, sometimes lasting for days.
I figure having the bottom five or six feet of the greehouse below
grade level shields me from the wind to some degree and the natural
insulation of the ground helps keep the inside atmosphere stable. I've lots
of other details about evaporative cooling, humidity control, passive solar
heating (and cooling), yadda, yadda. The greenhouse will be multi-purpose;
including flowers, edibles, and bonsai.
I've found great resources for materials and ideas over the span of the
internet, inlcuding materials and reading material. But sometimes it helps
to dialog with live people.
I promise not to be offended if you tell me to go away.

Regards,

Casey Wilson
Freelance Writer and Photographer



Not off topic at all. Check out charleysgreenhouse.com. I don't have your
extreme temperatures or wind, but I'm very pleased with the custom kit I
bought from Charley's three years ago, and enjoyed doing business with them.
They seem quite open to phone calls and eager to search out solutions for
people.

Tom
Walnut Creek, CA
Nikon CP 5700

I have a question for the experts here. Having never built a greenhouse,
your input is quite welcomed!

Living in the Austin, Texas area, I'm considering building a hobby GH.
Since everyone I've asked has said to build it at least twice as large as I
think I need, it will be 16x20 feet in size.

My question involves the footer. What I'm thinking of at this point is to
have post holes drilled around the perimeter at every 4' at about 18" or 2'
depth. Then slam some rebar down in there, along with 6" diameter or so
steel pipe which will extend 2' above ground level. Will fill the holes and
pipe with concrete for a good base, and lay 4X4's across the top of the
piping ( or maybe 2x6 with 4x4 on top) to function as the base for the
walls. Wall frames to be bolted to this base

Does this sound reasonable? Will place concrete blocks between the pipes to
fill-in the space, with a stone facing on the exterior.

Does this sound like it will be strong enough to support the GH, as well as
keep the GH anchored to the ground during windy periods? It will be
sheltered on three sides by my home and sizable trees to reduce wind issues.
The exposed side will be the south.

Your advice is appreciated! :-)

Dan...

Dan wrote:

My question involves the footer. What I'm thinking of at this point is to
have post holes drilled around the perimeter at every 4' at about 18" or 2'
depth. Then slam some rebar down in there, along with 6" diameter or so
steel pipe which will extend 2' above ground level. Will fill the holes and
pipe with concrete for a good base, and lay 4X4's across the top of the
piping ( or maybe 2x6 with 4x4 on top) to function as the base for the
walls. Wall frames to be bolted to this base

Does this sound reasonable? Will place concrete blocks between the pipes to
fill-in the space, with a stone facing on the exterior.

Does this sound like it will be strong enough to support the GH, as well as
keep the GH anchored to the ground during windy periods? It will be
sheltered on three sides by my home and sizable trees to reduce wind issues.
The exposed side will be the south.


I don't doubt that it would be strong enough (actually it sounds like
substantial overkill), but check with your local building department (if
you have one). My township insisted on some pretty unreasonable
requirements for my greenhouse. It is best to ask first rather than
make expensive alterations. Make sure the footings are below frost
level (assuming you get frosts), or they will heave right out of the
ground. Here we have to dig to 4 feet deep.

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a) See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more
orchids, obtain more credit

LittlefrogFarm - Growing the plants Rob likes. )

I did something similar when I built my GH.

Pressure treated 4 x 4's in 3 feet of concrete on top of a foot of gravel at
the corners and every 4 feet in between. Pressure treated 5/4 x 6's
(decking) on the interior AND exterior of the frame, with the interstitial
space filled with expanding foam for insulation. Then I put the 4 x 4's on
the top.

My GH is on a slope, so I added several truckloads of fill to level the
floor, covered that with fine gravel. (Right front is 1 foot above grade,
back left is 5 feet above it!

Attached the GH frame to the 4 x 4's with lag bolts - has withstood a minor
earthquake and hurricane-force winds...

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info!


"Dan" wrote in message
...
I have a question for the experts here. Having never built a greenhouse,
your input is quite welcomed!

Living in the Austin, Texas area, I'm considering building a hobby GH.
Since everyone I've asked has said to build it at least twice as large as
I
think I need, it will be 16x20 feet in size.

My question involves the footer. What I'm thinking of at this point is to
have post holes drilled around the perimeter at every 4' at about 18" or
2'
depth. Then slam some rebar down in there, along with 6" diameter or so
steel pipe which will extend 2' above ground level. Will fill the holes
and
pipe with concrete for a good base, and lay 4X4's across the top of the
piping ( or maybe 2x6 with 4x4 on top) to function as the base for the
walls. Wall frames to be bolted to this base

Does this sound reasonable? Will place concrete blocks between the pipes
to
fill-in the space, with a stone facing on the exterior.

Does this sound like it will be strong enough to support the GH, as well
as
keep the GH anchored to the ground during windy periods? It will be
sheltered on three sides by my home and sizable trees to reduce wind
issues.
The exposed side will be the south.

Your advice is appreciated! :-)

Dan...